Today’s Devotional: True Humility
Can you tell the difference between self-degradation and true humility?
Self-degradation is built on lies and insecurity, whereas humility is driven by realistic expectations and an understanding of oneself. When we degrade ourselves, we’re often just fishing for compliments—or worse, we’re actively denying the strengths and abilities that God has given us. When we practice true humility, we understand our relationship with God and are able to use the gifts he’s given us appropriately and wisely.
This short devotional thought from Daily Enounter further discusses the difference between the two and how true humility puts our relationship with God in a right perspective:
Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That’s insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of yourself, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and putting all these gifts to good use in serving God and others. Humility also recognizes and accepts one’s weaknesses and, with God’s help, does something about overcoming them.
Read the rest of the devotional at actsweb.org.
Are there ways in which you’re degrading yourself, perhaps thinking you’re being humble? How can you practice true humility today?
I have read it this way: Being humble does not mean you think less of yourself, but rather that you think of yourself less (and conversely, others more.)
Jesus was a servant to others. He came to serve and to save.
We are saved to be servants. Blessed to be a blessing to others.
Everything that we have is not ours, but is God’s, that He allows us to use. God asks that we use the gifts, talents and material property He gave us according to His plan and His purposes.
At times I struggle with guilt because I have been blessed by God with “stuff” so that when I compare myself with people in other parts of the world I see how much I really have.
It seems unfair that we in this nation should have so much food readily available to eat while people in poor nations struggle to live day by day. But so many in our own nation do not know God. We can and should help those in need but until you know God you tend to be selfish and full of pride.
Currently we are in a struggle with immigration. Many feel that by helping others less fortunate that somehow they will lose their precious “stuff.” They fear their money will be taken from them, or their homes. So there is a cry to close our borders and to lock up our city gates from those elsewhere in the world in real need and in real pain.
Of course not everyone feels this way. There are many who are doing all they can to help and to bring about change.
That is where I realize God has blessed me with my job in the media, that he has given me what I need to bring about awareness and change. He gives me food, clothes, a home, friends and family to sustain me and equip me for my personal ministry. Just as we all have been equipped for our personal ministries.
Do I still struggle with guilt that have more food to eat than others in the world, yes? But I also realize God would rather I turn the guilt into love. And that out of love I should act.
I may not be able to change the world, but I can change one life — as we all can change one life. Then working for God we can change the world together.
God bless you.
Humility is to being obidient and abiding in God’s word and His will even at the cost of our lives. No matter what circumstances and situations comes in our christian lives we must humbly take the matter in prayers to the Lord and await for His victory for : If we died with him,we will also live with him; if we endure,we will also reign with him.If we disown him,he will also disown us; if we are faithless,he will remain faithful,for he cannot disown himself.
Humility helps us to rely more on God’s direction, obidience and His provision with a ultimate aim to glorfy Him.
I am in agreement with LSPM. Just remember that God will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. God’s love is always there for you. Jesus’ Commanded that we should “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you can’t love yourself then how can you have love for others. God bless you all.
The only thing worse then being wrong all the time is being right all the time. I don’t think Jesus mentioned a thing about “self degradation”, he did say something about denying ones self. We all probably define humility differently. Being humble is kind of like thanking God that my name is written in his book of life, Nothing more nothing less.
My pastor says that true humility is putting Christ first, others second and ourselves last. It is not thinking too highly or lowly of oneself or others, but keeping our priorities in order. Our first priority is Jesus Christ. Our second is our brother. And lastly is ourselves. By placing myself last, I give opportunity for my Lord to care for my needs, and I can give Him the glory.
Humility can be challenging, but with the desire to please God our attitude would be one of love and selflessness.
There are so many truths in the bible pointing to benefits of humility and the demise of the proud, we therefore should aim to live by first loving ourselves then loving others.
This way we would walk with not only with our head held high but with our eyes looking out, and our hands touching needs of others.
Self examination is always needed to refresh our soul.